Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has approved the revocation of 4,794 land titles due to non-payment of Ground Rent for more than 40 years. In the Central Area, Garki I and II, Wuse I and II, Asokoro, Maitama, and Guzape, a total of 8,375 property owners have failed to pay Ground Rent in the last 43 years.
This was disclosed during a press briefing by the Minister’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, alongside the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) Director of Lands, Chijioke Nwankwoeze.
“It should be noted that the FCTA made numerous publications in national newspapers and announcements on broadcast media since 2023, calling on defaulters to pay up all outstanding bills and ground rents. All these yielded little response, as several allottees failed to pay.”
“It is important to state that payment of Ground Rent on landed properties in the FCT is founded on extant legislation. It is stipulated in the terms and conditions of the grant of Right of Occupancy, and it is due for payment on the first day of January each year, without demand.”
As of the end of 2024, a total of N6,967,980,119 is owed as Ground Rent by 8,375 property owners. In other words, a total of 8,375 property owners have not paid Ground Rent up to last year, 2024.
A total of 4,794 land titles are in default of Ground Rent payment for 10 years and above. This means that in the listed districts, 4,794 property owners have not paid Ground Rent in the last 10 years.
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This is in violation of the terms and conditions of the Right of Occupancy, in line with the provisions of Section 28, Subsections 5(a) and (b) of the Land Use Act.
“Consequently, the titles of the properties in default of payment of Ground Rent for 10 years and above have been revoked forthwith.”
A grace period of 21 days has been given to title holders who are in default for between one and ten years. After this period, the affected titles will also be revoked.
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